Transcription
THE FAVOURITE SONG,
SUNG BY MR. JOHANNOT.
IN THE CHARACTER OF SERJEANT SHAUNEEN O’SHEA, OF THE BRIGADE OF GUARDS,
IN THE SIEGE OF VALENCIENNES,
AT ASTLEY’s.
I.
Here Shauneen O’Shee, by my foul that’s enough, Sir,
To be sure we han’d handled Monsieur something rough, Sir,
Arrah honey, be easy, and don’t breed a jot,
While I tell you the truth, if you noisy and quiet;
For, d’ye see, while the cannons and bombs were a speaking,
The French were a singing—that is they were squeaking.
Arrah doodle loo, little Shauneen O’Shee.
II.
From St. James’s we come, Valenciennes just to see, Sir,
But what could be done at the siege without me, Sir,
By my own darling self, not a man, except all, Sir,
First mounted the breach, and got sealing the wall, Sir,
Then the whole British troops, with the little light horse, Sir,
Made them caper for joy, all the while they were cross, Sir.
Arrah doodle loo, little Shauneen O’Shee.
III.
O, zounds! had you seen but each chapel and steeple
Making congees, and paying respects to the people,
Then rhe bombs flying round it, and guns sweetly singing,
While balls like potatoes were graciously springing!
By my soul, it was harmony fir for the devil,
We gave them for nothing—and that was but civil.
Arrah, doodle loo, little Shauneen O’Shee.
IV.
O, long life to myself, not forgetting the rest, Sir,
For, you know, its [sic] but right that I love myself best, Sir,
But the brave Duke of YORK—Heaven bless and preserve him!
By my soul, was I dead, I’d be happy to serve him*.
Och! None of your lingo, or French boderation,
Two or three such as him will preserve you a nation.
Arrah, doodle loo, little Shaunee O’Shee.
*The Writer of this Song, though very whimsically, has pleasingly and happily displayed the loyalty of the Irish Soldier, whose courage, like his attachment to his Prince, he is ever ready to shew on all occasions.
